Chevrolet 2003 Corvette User manual

The 2003 ChevroletCorvetteOwnerManual
SeatsandRestraintSystems ........................... 1-1
FrontSeats ............................................... 1-2
SafetyBelts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-21
AirBagSystem
....................................... 1-39
RestraintSystemCheck
............................ 1-48
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Windows
................................................. 2-14
Theft-DeterrentSystems
............................ 2-16
StartingandOperatingYour Vehicle
........... 2-19
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-37
StorageAreas
......................................... 2-39
RoofPanel
.............................................. 2-43
ConvertibleTop
....................................... 2-49
7-55
InstrumentPanel ............................................. 3-1
InstrumentPanelOverview .......................... 3-2
ClimateControls
...................................... 3-22
WarningLights,Gages and Indicators
......... 3-29
DriverInformationCenter (DIC)
.................. 3-44
FeaturesandControls ..................................... 2-1
\Inhinln pnrcnnc~li~latinn
v bl ll "tu "I "V . ICA.1LULI.I .. ..........................
AudioSystem(s) ....................................... 3-62
DrivingYourVehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-33
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-10
Rear Axle
............................................... 5-46
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-52
I Ires ...................................................... 5-54
Appearance Care ..................................... 5-75
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-83
Electrical System
...................................... 5-84
Capacities and Specifications
..................... 5-92
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
...... 5-94
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
- .
lbM-in+nn-nnn Cehnrllnln .....................
mwmumn IC'CI our . YP YY . .--I.-
6-1
Index ........................................

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the name
CORVETTE and the CORVETTE Emblem are
registeredtrademarksof General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of
Canada Limited”for Chevrolet Motor Divisionwhenever
it appears in this manual.
Please keepthis manual in your vehicle,
so it will be
there
if you-everneed it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the
new owner can use it.
Litho
in U.S.A.
Part No. 10323873 A First Edition
Canadian Owners
You can obtain a French copy of this manual from your
dealer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
How to Use This Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle.
If
you do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together
to explain things.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical listof what’s
in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
@CopyrightGeneral Motors Corporation
06/20/02
AllRightsReserved

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you
if you were to ignorethe
warning.
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
I
In the caution area, we teli you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
or others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it
in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t let
this happen.”
iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings
in different colors
or in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead
of text. Symbols, used
on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating toa
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator
If you need help figuring out a specific nameof a
component, gage
or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:
“Engine CompartmentOverview”
“Instrument Panel Overview”
“Climate Controls”
“Audio Systems”
Also see WarningLights, Gages and Indicators
on
page 3-29.
iv

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:
~
LATCH BOTH LAP AND
SHOULDER BELTS TO
INJURYPROTECTOCCUPANT
48: @
DONOTTWISTSAFETY
BELT WHENAnACHING
POSSIBLE
A
SHIELDING $ FAEXST BELTS
CAUTION
CAUSTIC
BATTERY MOVE SEAT
ACIDcoULD % REARWARD* /7
FULLY \$%
CAUSE
BURNS SECURE
CHILD SEAT
SPARKS OR
FLAMES COMPLETELY
THEN SECURE
SPARK OR
EXPLODE
BAlTERY
CHILD SEAT
WINDOW
kl
1
op
AIRBAG p\
DO NOTINSTALL
A REAR-FACING
CHILD RESTRAINT
IN THIS SEATING
POSITION
DO NOT INSTALL A
FORWARD-FACING
CHILD RESTRAINT
INTHIS SEATING
POSITION
rl
.r
I
I'
1
LIGHTING -
MASTER SWITCH a- 0 , \
SIGNALS
TURN
PARKING
pf
LAMPS
ENGINE
COOLANT
cI.
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
COOLANT
ENGINEOIL
PRESSURE
l.f,l
ACCESS
ENGINE
COOLANT
FAN
OWNERS
MANUAL
SERVICE

Model Reference
This manual covers these models:
I
206
I
Coupe
1
Convertible

Section Seats and Restraint Systems
Front Seats ..................................................... -1-2
ManualSeats
................................................ 1-2
Power Seats
................................................. -1-2
RecliningSeatbacks
........................................ 1-3
Seatback Latches
........................................... 1-5
Sport Seat
..................................................... 1-6
Safety Belts ..................................................... 1-7
Safety Belts:They Are for Everyone
................. 1-7
QuestionsandAnswersAbout Safety Belts
...... 1-11
Driver Position
.............................................. 1-13
SafetyBeltUse During Pregnancy
.................. 1-20
Passenger Position ....................................... 1-20
SafetyBeltExtender ..................................... 1-20
How to WearSafety Belts Properly
................. 1-12
Child Restraints ............................................ -1-21
Older Children
.............................................. 1-21
Infants and Young Children
............................ 1.23
Child Restr3.int Systems ................................. 1-26
Top Strap .......................... ................... 1-30
TopStrapAnchor Location
... ............... 1.31
LowerAnchorages and Top Tethers for
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
Securing a Child Restraint in thePassenger
Children (LATCH System)
........................... 1-31
LATCH System
......................................... 1-33
Seat Position
............................................ 1-34
Air Bag System .............................................. 1-39
Where Are the Air Bags?
............................... 1-40
WhatMakesanAirBag Inflate?
..................... 1-42
AirBag Inflates?
....................................... 1-43
Air Bag
Off Switch ........................................ 1-44
Restraint System Check .................................. 1-48
CheckingYour Restraint Systems
................... 1-48
Crash
...................................................... 1-48
WhenShouldanAir Bag Inflate? .................... 1-42
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... .1..42
'What Wiil You SeeAfteran
Servicing YourAirBag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-47
Replacing Restraint System Parts Aftera
1-1

Front Seats
Manual Seats
Power Seats
seat, near the base.
To move
a manual seat, pull up on the lever located in
front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where
you want it and release the lever. Then try
to move the
seat with your body to make sure the seat is locked
into place.
If your vehicle has this feature, the controlfor the power
seats will be located on the outboardside of each
1 -2

Different partsof the power seat control move different
partsof the seat.
To move the seat forward or
rearward, movethe control in that direction. Move the
control up to raisethe seat and down to lower it.
By tiltingthe back of the control, it will raise or lowerthe
back of the seat. Tiltingthe front
of the control will
raise or lower the frontof the seat.
Your preferredseat positioncan be stored and recalled
if you have the memory option. See Memory on
page 2-55.
Reclining Seatbacks
The lever for the reclining seatback is located on the
outboard side of each seat, near the base.
To adjust the seatback, lean slightly forward to lift your
:.;eight
zff the sn2fhxk. PL!!! completely 11p on the
lever until
it stops, and lean back to position the
seatback to where you want it. Release the lever to lock
the seatback into place.
1 -3

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is
moving.
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle
is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you
buckle
up, your safety belts can’tdo their job
when you’re reclined like
this.
The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it
won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be
in front ofyou.
In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt can’t do its jobeither. In a crash
the belt could
go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces wouldbe there, not at your pelvic
bones. This could cause serious internal
injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle
is in
motion, have the seatback upright.Then sit
well back in theseat and wear your safety belt
properly.
1 -4

Seatback Latches
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in
a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.
Both seatbacks fold forward to give you access to the
rear area.
To fold a seatback forward, lift this latch,
which is locatedon top of the backside of the seat, and
~c!! !he seathack forward Tho seatback will lock
down in this position.
To unlock, lift up on the latch and push the seatback
rearward. When youreturnthe seatbackto its original
position, makesure the seatback is locked in place.

Sport Seat
If your vehicle has this feature, there are three other
controls that help you changethe shape of the seat in
addition
to the power seat control. There are two
lumbar supports for the middle
(A) and lower (6) back.
There’s also a side bolster control
(C) that adjusts
the sides of the seat around you to give you more lateral
support.
For lumbar support, move each control
(A) and (B)
forward to inflate or rearward to deflate.
Move the side bolster control
(C) up for more side
support and down for less support.
1 -6

Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
This part of the manualtells you how to use safety
belts properly. It also tells you
some things you should
not do with safety belts.
Don’t let anyone ride where heor she can’t
wear
a safety beat properly, If you are in a
crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt,
your injuries canbe much worse. You can
hit
things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it.
You can be seriously injured or killed. In the
same crash, you might not be
if you are
buckled
up. Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your passenger’s belt
is
fastened properlytoo.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a
collision, people riding
in these areas are more
likely
to be seriously injured or killed. Do not
allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle
that
is not equipped with seats and safety
belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle
is in a
seat and using a safety belt properly.
Your vehicle has a light
that comes on
as a
reminder to buckle up. See
Safety BeltReminder
Light
on page 3-3 1.
1 -7

In most states and all Canadian provinces, the law says
to wear safety belts. Here’s why:
They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know
if it will be a bad one.
Why Safety Belts Work
YOU ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on
wheels.
1 -8

u
a, a, a

R
The person keeps going until stopped by something. In
a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...
or the instrument panel ...
1-10

or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
YOU get more rime io siup. ‘iou siup Uvec KXZ. disianzz,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such
good sense.
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Won’t I be trapped inthe vehicle after an
accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be - whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. Andyour chance
of being conscious during and after an accident,
so
you can unbuckleand get out, is much greater if
you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to
A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in
most of them in thefuture. But they are
supplementalsystems only;
SO they work with
safety belts - not Instead ot tnem. Every air bay
system ever offered for sale has requiredthe use of
safety belts. Even
if you’re in a vehicle that has
air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
ht especially ir, side 2nd ether collisions.
wear safety belts?
1-1 I

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Driver Position
This part describesthe driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver hasa lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it
properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat
so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see Reclining Seatbacks
on page 1-3.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let
it get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt
across you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
When the lap portion
of the belt is pulled out all the
way, it will lock.
If it does, let it go back all the
way and start again. See ”Lap Belt Cinch Feature”
later in this section.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up
on the latch plate to make sure it is
secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see Safety
Belt Extender on page
1-20.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.
1-13